Climbing

GreatOutdoors.com editor Peter Potterfield takes his job writing about adventure seriously. The author of a dozen books on outdoor adventure, Potterfield in this gallery shares some of his favorite images from backcountry adventures from around the world.

Ed Viesturs, America's best known high altitude climber, recounts his epic adventures on three separate expeditions to Nepal’s 26,545-foot Annapurna with a just-released book. Combining his own experiences with those from other landmark expeditions, Viesturs closely examines the deadly challenge of Annapurna.

GreatOutdoors.com Everest correspondent Dave Hahn shares his images from previous expeditions. Here, in this gallery of images taken high on Everest on his nine trips to the summit, Dave shows us the famous features of Everest's summit.

Everest 2010 Live on GreatOutdoors.com: Climber and GreatOutdoors.com correspondent Dave Hahn will attempt his 12th successful summit of the world’s highest peak. Perhaps the most respected Everest guide working today, Dave will report in daily via satellite phone as he climbs the South Col Route. This year Dave is guiding Leif Whittaker, son of Jim Whittaker, who was the first American to climb Mount Everest back in 1963. That makes this year’s expedition an historical event as well as a mountaineering challenge, so don’t miss any of the exciting action this year as Dave Hahn reports daily on the climb.

Check out the long trail through the Khumbu Valley of Nepal the climbers will cover in about eight to 10 days, from Lukla to Namche Bazaar and Thyangboche, and finally to Everest Base Camp. And see the convoluted climbing route from Everest Base Camp, up through the Khumbu Icefall, through the Western Cwm and up the Lhotse Face to the South Col--where the journey for the summit really begins.

GreatOutdoors.com Everest correspondent also happens to be the climber with more trips to the summit than any other non-Sherpa climber. Find out what makes Dave Hahn the premier Everest guide of his generation.

With six ascents of Everest already under his belt, Ed Viesturs is once again attempting the highest mountain on Earth without oxygen. The first American mountaineer to reach the summit of all 14 of the world's highest peaks, without bottled oxygen, continues to be lured back to Everest.

Check out the long trail through the Khumbu Valley of Nepal the climbers will cover in about eight to 10 days, from Lukla to Namche Bazaar and Thyangboche, and finally to Everest Base Camp. And see the convoluted climbing route from Everest Base Camp, up through the Khumbu Icefall, through the Western Cwm and up the Lhotse Face to the South Col--where the journey for the summit really begins.

Ed Viesturs, the only U.S. climber to have climbed all fourteen of the world's 8,000 meter peaks without supplemental oxygen, is once again attempting Mount Everest. With six successful trips to the top of the world's highest peak already under his belt, Viesturs will attempt his seventh this year as he climbs with Dave Hahn and Peter Whittaker of the First Ascent team. Follow the action live on GreatOutdoors.com as Ed Viesturs calls in with daily dispatches.

Lakpa Rita Sherpa, with eleven ascents of Mount Everest to his credit, will become fthe first Sherpa climber ever to reach the top of the Seven Summits--the highest points on each continent--with an ascent this weekend of Kilimanjaro. Editor's Note: Lakpa successfully summitted Kilimanjaro, see latest details.

GreatOutdoors.com staff members spend as much time in the out of doors as possible, so they take their outdoor equipment seriously. Here are a few favorite pieces of gear that served us well this year, from the Chilkoot Pass in Alaska and the Beartooths of Montana to the Haute Route in the Alps.

The mountains of Grindelwald Switzerland, are some of the most spectacular in Europe. A recent hike through them with John Harlin, whose father made the first American ascent of the storied Eiger, provided a glimpse into mountaineering history. Roaming below the looming North Face of the Eiger is a unique experience for any climber or backcountry traveler.

Across the Alps on skis and other adventure blogs by GreatOutdoors.com staffers. Come along with mountain skier and climber Gordy Skoog on his “Tale of Two Haute Routes,” and yet another first ascent for him in the North Cascades. The people who work here take the outdoors seriously, so check out the blog section for more, including Mike Rougeux’s Climbing on California’s Lost Coast and Peter Potterfield’s hiking odyssey in New Zealand.